Austenitic stainless steels, renowned for their corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal, are a staple in numerous industries. However, welding these materials often presents a significant challenge: distortion and warpage. This isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it can lead to dimensional inaccuracies, compromised functionality, and costly rework. So, why are austenitic stainless steels so prone to […]
Welding engineers know how crucial the right filler metal is, especially when joining dissimilar metals. It’s not just about welding two pieces together and getting them to hold; it’s about creating a welded connection that can withstand the intended service conditions. In the case of stainless steel and other nickel alloys we also want corrosion […]
AWS D1.6 is the Structural Welding Code for Stainless Steel. Its primary concern is with the structural integrity of weldments and not with resistance to corrosion, creep or sensitization. As a matter of fact, the word “corrosion” appears only eight times in the 9 clauses of AWS D1.6. Requirements for these concerns are the responsibility […]
In our previous post, we introduced the basics of weldng austenitic stainless steels (304, 304L, 316, and 316L). Now, let’s dive deeper into the metallurgy of these alloys. Understanding their composition and grain structure is crucial for achieving sound, high-quality welds. This knowledge empowers welding professionals to make informed decisions about welding processes, filler metals, […]
Austenitic stainless steels are a cornerstone of many industries because of their exceptional corrosion resistance, strength, and aesthetic appeal. The most commonly used austenitic stainless steels are grades 304, 304L, 316, and 316L. This article, the first in a series, will provide an essential overview of these materials, highlighting their unique characteristics and why proper […]
Welding of austenitic stainless steel and carbon steel base metal should use a filler metal that prevents solidification cracking. 309 is the preferred filler metal as it provides ferrite number of at least 3.
In our previous article we mentioned that a customer was inquiring about running their 98% argon / 2% carbon dioxide (98/2) shielding gas on mild steel. This gas is used on stainless as it maintains the amount of reactive gas (in this case CO2) under 3%. Our quick answer was “yes, you can weld carbon […]
It is very common to weld stainless steel to mild steel. But, when it comes to qualifying a welding procedure it can be somewhat confusing. Do you follow AWS D1.1 (Steel) or do you following AWS D1.6 (Stainless Steel)? Or is there another code or standard you should use? The answer to this question is […]
We receive several calls about welding stainless and the beautiful rainbow colors, or lack thereof, on the weld and heat affected zone. Is the tinting an indication of quality? Are these colors acceptable? Do they show that the weld had enough heat to penetrate? Why do they need to be cleaned? The questions are endless. […]
It is not uncommon to find fabricating shops that are welding a variety of metals including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum and nickel alloys. In many cases some of these materials need to be welded to other types. Once very common situation, especially in automotive applications is welding carbon steel to stainless. One of the […]
